Document Type

Thesis - NSU Access Only

Title

Muscle Imbalance in the Lower Leg and Lateral Ankle Instability in Adolescents

Authors

Jonathan Di Gregorio, Nova Southeastern University

Degree Name

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

Department

College of Health Care Sciences - Physical Therapy Department

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1998

Publisher

Nova Southeastern University

NSUWorks Citation

Jonathan Di Gregorio. 1998. Muscle Imbalance in the Lower Leg and Lateral Ankle Instability in Adolescents. Master's thesis. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, College of Health Care Sciences - Physical Therapy Department. (110)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_pt_stuetd/110.

Abstract

Purpose: To establish normative data for muscle strength ratios in the lower leg among adolescent males ages 11-13 years.

Subjects: The subject sample consisted of 15 adolescent males from one little league baseball team from the Plantation Athletic League.

Methods: Subjects were evaluated for muscle strength in evertors/invertors, and plantarflexors/dorsiflexors of the ankle. Utilizing a Cybex 6000 isokinetic dynamometer, measurements were taken for one bout of three repetitions at 30 degrees/second, and two bouts of four repetitions at 120 degrees/second for each activity. Each subject performed a warm up bout consisting of three repetitions at 30 degrees/second for each activity to get familiar with the apparatus, and allow for maximum muscle output. They then rested for 30 seconds before beginning the measurement bouts. An additional 30 seconds of rest was permitted between each measurement bout. In total, four bouts were performed for each activity, with three actually being recorded.

Results: Data analysis reveals that on the average, the mean peak torque of invertors is approximately 25% higher than that of evertors, with the mean peak torque of plantarflexors being approximately 50% higher than dorsiflexors;

Conclusion: The results of this study have illustrated that adolescents exhibit muscle imbalance in the lower leg similar to adults, indicating that the implementation of preventative exercise programs may reduce the incidence of ankle sprains across the life span. Therefore, the argument may be made that if these programs are initiated during adolescence, health care cost pertaining to ankle injury may be reduced dramatically.

Disciplines

Physical Therapy